Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-02-12

| ting the whole state, and this, too. In a
very perceptible manner
Reporter do you account for
this?
MIR. Tilton-Because the assessed valu-
alton of property in the state will be In
creased. But the increase will be affect
ed, in the portions OF the state benefited
the most, by these fol- ;tries. This beneft
to those portions carries with it the pro-
position that their increase in taxes will
be acquiesced IN gladly, because OF the
intrincsic enhancement OF their property
values.
On given state assessment the taxes
In the western half of the state cannot be
increased without those in the eastern
part of the state being decreased, thus
both sides will naturally be satisfied.
Now I wish to submit this solution Of the
question. The western half will be easily
tributary to these forestries.
This territory is virtually a treeless
plain.
It comprises 25,69O,O0O acres. As soon
as these forestries are in practical opera
ton, the dotting Of the prairies with tim
Der at a thousand points will be the result.
| This beginning, with the prestige for the
future which it insures, viii make every
body feel that his land is worth more
than it was. Now let us strike the
almost infnitesimal average of IS cents
per acre, in the intrinsic value, of this
25,600,000 acres. This increase in value
amounts to $6,400,0O0. This is to be ad-
ded to thepresent assessed valuation of
property in the state.
The present rate of taxation for
state purposes is ~ mills on the
dollar. This $6,4OO,OO0 would there
fore pay of the state taxes $28,SC0 annual
ly. The amount asked for the main
tenance of these forestries is less than
$4,000. Is not this conclusive dem
onstration that the establishment of
these forestries is demanded by business
considerations, leaving out the considera-
ton of the plains being dotted with
timber, as an aid in sheltering live stock
and people; preventing rapid evaporation,
and Fastening the era when Kansas viii
be an agricultural state from end to end
and side to side?
Besides this. the western half Of Kansas
has not single state institution. It is
deprived completely Of sharing in the
vast appropriations for the maintenance
OF this class OF institutions, but, yet it has
to pay its share Of the taxes.
Reporter-Do you think the people of
Kansas comprehend the necessity of such
measure as this?
Mr. Tilton-Yes; the people Of eastern
Kansas are a reading class. They know
that the de-forestation Of the whole |
country is threatened. I know many of
them to be favorable to this move. They
perceive the glazing necessity of Kansans |
growing timber in quantities exceeding |
largely the destruction.
Reporter-Why not congress take steps |
toward establishing these s5ationssinstead |
OF the state?
Mr.. Tilton-Because such course
would be senseiess. The state is to |
derive the benefit, why should not she foot
the expense? Ii the state paid direct |
taxes TO the general government, then it
would be proper for the general govern
ment to defray portion Of the expenses
of establishing and maintaining forestry
stations.
Intelligent and economical forestry
systems are pre-eminentIy too local in
their nature to be under the supervision
OF the general government.
Reporter-In conclusion, do you think |
there is any doubt about the passage Of
your forestry bill?
Mr.. Tilton-I feel like Napoleon did at
Waterloo. # my splendid aides do their
duty the victory will be won.